Textbooks are designed to teach, explain and make complex information easily understood and assimilated. Research papers do the reader no such favours. Being able to understand and use primary research is an essential tool in any scientific career. This book teaches these valuable skills simply and clearly, saving hours in the long run. Critical Reading explains how to: approach every paper methodically spot work aimed to support a pet theory gain confidence in questioning what you read be alert to bias use abstracts intelligently identify suspect experimental methods assess quantitative methodology interpret results with confidence draw inferences from published work. Using extracts from published Papers in Focus, this book imparts valuable know-how to students and researchers from any biomedical or biological discipline. The text is easily read and understood and the use of key points, summaries and reference reinforces good technique.
Author(s): Benjamin Yudkin
Edition: 1
Year: 2006
Language: English
Pages: 144
Book Cover......Page 1
Half-Title......Page 2
Title......Page 4
Copyright......Page 5
Contents......Page 6
Figures......Page 9
Preface......Page 10
Acknowledgements......Page 12
1 The paper trail......Page 14
2 Medium and message......Page 27
3 Scientists as authors......Page 34
4 The abstract and introduction......Page 52
5 Materials and methods......Page 62
6 Quantitative methods......Page 80
7 Thinking science......Page 109
Appendix......Page 139
Index......Page 140
Index of papers on focus and papers by subject......Page 143
